virginia takes in $260 million each year from liquor sales. to make up for lost revenues, the governor's plan would tax restaurants and bars that buy liquor directly from wholesalers instead of retailers. david englin is vice chairman of virginia's house democratic caucus. he says changing the system now is risky. >> at a time when the state can't even afford to mow the medians on the state highways, we can't afford to risk losing hundreds of millions of dollars in perpetuity in state revenue for some up-front gain, which may or may not materialize to the extent the government proposes. >> reporter: virginia's not alone looking to exit the liquor biz, several of the 18 states that still control sales are considering similar moves to close budget gaps. garret peck studied liquor control for his book, "the prohibition hangover." he says privatizing state stores hasn't been a budget bonanza. >> a couple of states have moved over-- at least they have franchised their state control. iowa did that, maine did that, and what they've generally seen is